System and method of using thermal and electrical conductivity of tissue

Abstract

A system for planning, performing and/or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic treatment of a target tissue includes at least one of a thermal conductivity probe including a microprobe sensor configured and adapted to measure a thermal conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction or an electrical conductivity probe including a microprobe sensor configured and adapted to measure an electrical conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction. The system further includes a multimeter operatively connected to at least one of the thermal conductivity probe or the electrical conductivity probe, the multimeter being configured and adapted to deliver energy to at least one of the thermal conductivity probe or the electrical conductivity probe, and a computer operatively connected to the multimeter.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method of enhancing an image, comprising the steps of:
 measuring at least one of a thermal conductivity or an electrical conductivity of a target tissue in at least one direction;   inputting at least one of the measured conductivities of the target tissue for each direction into a modeling environment to create at least one resulting image; and   combining the at least one resulting image to produce an enhanced image.)   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the imagining technique includes at least one of fluoroscopy, X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI. 
     
     
         8 . A method of enhancing a medical image, comprising:
 positioning a probe having a sensor in proximity to tissue, the probe defining a longitudinal axis;   rotating the probe about the longitudinal axis from a first rotational position to a second rotational position different than the first rotational position;   measuring, via the sensor, a conductivity of the tissue at each of the first and second rotational positions;   inputting the measured conductivities of the tissue into a modeling environment to generate a first image; and   enhancing a second image generated by an imaging device based on the first image.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising generating the first image using the imaging device. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound device, an X-ray device, and an MRI device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein inputting the measured conductivities of the tissue into the modeling environment includes generating at least two images. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein enhancing the image of the tissue includes combining the at least two images. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising identifying, within the enhanced second image, an anatomical structure in proximity of the tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein measuring, via the sensor, the conductivity of the tissue includes measuring at least one of a thermal conductivity of the tissue or an electrical conductivity of the tissue. 
     
     
         15 . A method of enhancing a medical image, comprising:
 generating a first image using an imaging device;   positioning a probe in proximity to tissue, the probe having a sensor and defining a longitudinal axis;   rotating the probe about the longitudinal axis defined by the probe from a first rotational angle to a second rotational angle different than the first rotational angle;   measuring, via the sensor, a conductivity of the tissue at each of the first and second rotational angles;   inputting the measured conductivities of the tissue into a modeling environment to generate at least one second image; and   enhancing the first image generated by the imaging device based on the at least one second image.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein measuring, via the sensor, the conductivity of the tissue includes measuring at least one of a thermal conductivity of the tissue or an electrical conductivity of the tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein rotating the probe about the longitudinal axis defined by the probe includes maintaining the probe in a straight configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein inputting the measured conductivities of the tissue into the modeling environment includes generating at least two images. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein enhancing the first image includes combining the at least two images. 
     
     
         20 . A method of measuring tissue conductivity, comprising:
 positioning a probe having a sensor in proximity to tissue, the probe defining a longitudinal axis;   rotating the probe about the longitudinal axis defined by the probe from a first rotational angle to a second rotational angle different than the first rotational angle while maintaining the probe in a straight configuration; and   measuring, via the sensor, at least one of a thermal conductivity or an electrical conductivity of the tissue at each of the first and second rotational angles.